We could already sense that Twitter users were not in for a good time the day Elon Musk walked into the offices of his newly acquired company with a toilet in hand—as if trying to win the sympathy of an Internet that was not inclined to applaud the antics of a millionaire. Over the last months, we have seen how the social network that a few of us loved has changed its name, tried to pivot towards video (unsuccessfully), and has become filled with ridiculous bots. And now comes the next step in the dumbing down of Twitter, courtesy of the world’s richest man.
I like it, I don’t like it anymore
It turns out that Elon Musk has decided that we can no longer see the “Likes” of other people on Twitter, using it as a kind of “Saved Item” rather than anything else. Twitter users believe that much of the motivation behind this decision lies in some messages that the magnate himself liked—which didn’t portray him in a good light. By making them private, he can continue to do as he pleases on his network.
There is some truth to it, because in the end Musk seems to be driven by personal grievances, but there is supposed to be a real reason behind this that improves the user experience: depending on the “Likes” you give, your “For You” page will change. Additionally, it is supposed to make it more difficult to know the political bias of the person you are discussing with.
All of this is disguised under one phrase: “Improve your privacy.” But of course, everyone knew that “Likes” were public. Basically, it has been a transition from something public to something private. No one really understands the reason behind this decision while a few more people abandon ship to try their luck with alternatives like BlueSky or Threads. Little by little, despite the voices claiming that the Titanic is not sinking, we see the water reaching our calves. And there is still more to come.
